AWTHome

Clear walls made of various materials have been designed and tested in the Rotatable Guarded Hot Box to determine their thermal performance as systems. Analyses of whole-wall R-values and thermal mass effects have been conducted for the following wall systems: wood-stud wall systems, steel-frame wall systems, wood-concrete wall systems, foam insulation form concrete wall systems, structural form concrete wall systems, structural insulated panels, straw-bale walls, and low-density aerated concrete wall systems.


Pre-fabricated concrete panel with foam core set for testing in RGHB	Autoclaved aerated concrete block wall set for testing


Steel-frame wall system set for testing in RGHB	Rastra wall system set for testing in RGHB

We are working on the development of a rating and labeling procedure that will enable consumers to determine R-values for whole walls rather than to focus on the misleading "center-of-cavity" R-values. Internet-based calculation tools that simplify the required computation are being developed, and a library containing whole-wall R-values, air-tightness benefits, thermal mass benefits, moisture tolerance, and sustainability will be created to enable us to establish an acceptable consumer product label for the entire opaque wall area.

Advanced Wall Systems

Advanced Wall Systems Research

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